Keitou

Bloodline. Generations of Nishikigoi that have been produced by a single breeder to develop specific traits that are handed down to successive generations. Some examples are: Sensuke Kohaku and Jinbei Sanke. The breeder name is usually given as part of the bloodline. A single bloodline is profound enough to make a topic for an entire book...

And believe us when we say that this is true! It is part of the complexity of the hobby that is often so easily overlooked but which when investigated reveals a wealth of information.

(Courtesy of the excellent Book Kokugyo Vol II)